Waterproof Zipper and Process of Manufacturing Same

ABSTRACT

A waterproof zipper is provided with two halves, each including a half tape member and a row of protruding teeth along an inner edge of the half tape member; and a waterproof layer is secured to an inner surface of the halves. The waterproof layer coated on the inner surfaces of the halves may prevent the liquid from penetrating into the interior of the waterproof zipper, and simplify the structure of the waterproof zipper. A process of manufacturing the waterproof zipper is also provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/247,942, filed on Aug. 26, 2016 in the United States Patentand Trademark Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein intheir entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The invention relates to waterproof zippers and more particularly to awaterproof zipper and a process of manufacturing same.

Description of Related Art

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3B, U.S. Pat. No. 7,954,209 to Chen entitled“waterproof structure for zippers” discloses a half-finished zipper 1including a tape 10 and two toothed bars 11 secured to two inner edgesof the open tape 10 respectively. One toothed bar 11 has teeth 110adapted to secure to the teeth 110 of the other toothed bar 11 forclosing the zipper.

Each tape 10 has an inner surface coated with bonding glue 20. Anelectroplating membrane 21 is secured to an inner surface of the bondingglue 20 to form a waterproof layer 2 on an inner surface of the tape 10for preventing water from seeping in the tape 10. The electroplatingmembrane 21 is provided with a substratum layer 210 made of highmolecule polyester, an interface layer 211 made of a dissociating agentand coated on the substratum layer 210, a first protecting colloid layer212 formed on the interface layer 211, metal powder (e.g., aluminumpowder) electroplated on the first protecting colloid layer 212 to forman electroplated layer 213, and a second protecting colloid layer 214coated on the electroplated layer 213 to finish the electroplatingmembrane 21.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, steps of forming the waterproof layer2 on the inner surface of the tape 10 of the half-finished zipper 1 aredescribed in detail below.

A first step is inputting material. The half-finished zipper 1 is guidedto a processing line to be processed.

A second step is coating of bonding glue. The bonding glue 20 is evenlycoated on the inner surface of the tape 10 of the half-finished zipper 1by means of a roller unit.

A third step is gluing of electroplating membrane. The electroplatingmembrane 21 has both the interface layer 211 and the substratum layer210 removed and then has the first protecting colloid layer 212 bondedwith the bonding glue 20 on the inner surface of the tape 10.

A fourth step is drying. The half-finished zipper 1 having its surfacecoated with the bonding glue 20 and electroplating membrane 21 isconveyed to an oven to be heated for drying the bonding glue 20 and theelectroplating membrane 21. The drying time of the oven is set inaccordance with the amount of the bonding glue 20 coated on the surfaceof the tape 10.

A fifth step is hot pressing and shaping. The bonding glue 20 and theelectroplating membrane 21 on the surface of the tape 10 of thehalf-finished zipper 1 are pressed by a hot-pressing device for bondingthem together and shaping them.

A sixth step is drying. After the bonding glue 20 and the electroplatingmembrane 21 on the surface of the half-finished zipper 1 are pressed bythe hot-pressing device, the half-finished zipper 1 is conveyed to theoven to be dried again.

A seventh step is keeping cool for curing. The half-finished zipper 1 iscooled off by a fan or by wind and then kept cool to let the bondingglue 20 thereon have sufficient time to be cured for securing the tape10 to the electroplating membrane 21.

An eighth step is removing the product. After the waterproof layer isformed on the surface of the tape 10, a zipper is formed and removedfrom the continuous flow production line.

However, steps of the manufacturing process are complicated. Further,the thickness of the zipper is relatively high and the zipper is notsufficiently flexible.

Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main object of the present application is to provide a waterproofzipper structure, which is simpler in structure without reducing thewaterproof performance of the waterproof zipper, thereby reducing thesteps and time required to fabricate the zipper.

It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide awaterproof zipper comprising two halves, each including a half tapemember and a row of protruding teeth along a side of the half tapemember; and a waterproof layer is secured to an inner surface of thehalves.

Preferably, the sides of the half tape members face each other.

Preferably, the waterproof layer is disposed on the half tape members ofthe two halves without contacting the sides of the half tape members.

Preferably, the row of protruding teeth is disposed along an inner sideof the half tape member.

Preferably, the waterproof layer comprises dimethylacetamide, methylethyl ketone, toluene, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and polyurethane resin.

Preferably, the waterproof layer comprises 10% to 21% by weight ofdimethylacetamide.

Preferably, the waterproof layer comprises 30% to 41% by weight ofmethyl ethyl ketone.

Preferably, the waterproof layer comprises 4% to 12% by weight oftoluene.

Preferably, the waterproof layer comprises 1% to 7% by weight ofN-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.

Preferably, the waterproof layer comprises 36% to 47% by weight ofpolyurethane resin.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a process formanufacturing the waterproof zipper, which comprises the steps of: (a)guiding the waterproof layer to a position above the two halves on acontinuous flow production line, each half having a half tape member anda row of protruding teeth along a side of the half tape member; (b)coating a waterproof layer on a releasing layer; (c) drying both thewaterproof layer and the releasing layer in an oven; (d) pressing thehalves on the waterproof layer by a pressing device to secure thewaterproof layer and the releasing layer together; (e) removing thereleasing layer from the waterproof layer; (f) drying both thewaterproof layer and the halves in the oven again; (g) cooling both thewaterproof layer and the halves for a predetermined period of time; (h)removing both the waterproof layer and the halves from the continuousflow production line; and (i) placing both the waterproof layer and thehalves in an environment to produce a finished waterproof zipper.

Preferably, the halves is pressed on the waterproof layer by thepressing device at a pressure range from 10 kg/cm² to 30 kg/cm² and in atemperature range from 40° C. and 140° C. to secure the waterproof layerand the releasing layer together.

Preferably, both the waterproof layer and the halves are placed in theroom environment for five to seven days to produce a finished waterproofzipper.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a process formanufacturing the waterproof zipper, which comprises the steps of: (a)guiding the waterproof layer to a position above two half tape memberson a continuous flow production line; (b) coating a waterproof layer ona releasing layer; (c) drying both the waterproof layer and thereleasing layer in an oven;

(d) pressing the two half tape members on the waterproof layer by apressing device to secure the waterproof layer and the releasing layertogether; (e) removing the releasing layer from the waterproof layer;(f) drying both the waterproof layer and the half tape members in theoven again; (g) cooling both the waterproof layer and the half tapemembers for a predetermined period of time; (h) removing both thewaterproof layer and the half tape members from the continuous flowproduction line; (i) placing both the waterproof layer and the half tapemembers in an environment; and (j) connecting the two half tape membersto two rows of protruding teeth to produce a finished waterproof zipper.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the inventionwill become apparent from the following detailed description taken withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional zipper with a waterproofstructure;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the waterproof layer of theconventional zipper shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the steps of sticking anelectroplating membrane to the tape of the conventional zipper;

FIG. 3B is another cross-sectional view of the electroplating membraneto be bonded on the tape of the conventional zipper;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a waterproof zipper according to theinvention;

FIG. 5 is a first exemplary sectional view of the waterproof zippertaken along line B-B of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a second exemplary sectional view of the waterproof zippertaken along line B-B of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a third exemplary sectional view of the waterproof zippertaken along line B-B of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a fourth exemplary sectional view of the waterproof zippertaken along line B-B of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 9 schematically depicts a process of manufacturing the waterproofzipper according to the invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the process of manufacturing the waterproofzipper according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 4 to 8, a waterproof zipper 3 in accordance with theinvention comprises the following components as discussed in detailbelow.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a waterproof zipper according to theinvention, FIG. 5 is a first exemplary sectional view of the waterproofzipper taken along line B-B of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a second exemplarysectional view of the waterproof zipper taken along line B-B of FIG. 4,FIG. 7 is a third exemplary sectional view of the waterproof zippertaken along line B-B of FIG. 4, and FIG. 8 is a fourth exemplarysectional view of the waterproof zipper taken along line B-B of FIG. 4.

The waterproof zipper 3 includes two halves 30, each including a halftape member 300 and a row of protruding teeth 301 along a side of thehalf tape member 300. A waterproof layer 31 is secured to an innersurface of the halves 30 for preventing water from passing through thehalves 30.

The waterproof zipper 3 of the present invention may be implemented invarious ways to provide water proof abilities for various zipperstructures. As shown in FIG. 5, two halves 30, each including a halftape member 300 and a row of protruding teeth 301 along the side of thehalf tape member 300. The sides of the half tape members face eachother. In the present embodiment, the half tape members 300 are embeddedinto the interior of the rows of protruding teeth 301, and a waterprooflayer 31 is secured to an inner surface of the halves 30, that is,secured to the surfaces of both the rows of protruding teeth 301 and thehalf tape members 300, for preventing water from passing through thehalves 30.

Referring to FIG. 6, a waterproof is secured to the surface of the halftape member 300 firstly, and the half tape members 300 are embedded intothe interior of the rows of protruding teeth 301 together with thewaterproof layer 31. In this embodiment, the water proof layer 31provides excellent waterproof effects at a portion where the half tapemember 300 connecting to the row of protruding teeth 301.

Further referring to FIG. 7, two halves 30, each including a half tapemember 300 and a row of protruding teeth 301 along the side of the halftape member 300. In the present embodiment, the sides still face eachother, but most of the surfaces of the half tape members are connectedto the rows of protruding teeth 301. The waterproof layer 31 is securedto the surfaces of the row of protruding teeth 301 and the half tapemember 300, for preventing water from passing through the halves 30.

FIG. 8 of the present invention provides two halves 30, each including ahalf tape member 300 and a row of protruding teeth 301 along the side ofthe half tape member 300. In the present embodiment, the sides do notface each other, but another side without connecting the row ofprotruding teeth 301 are provided. The another sides of the two halvesare connected with each other while the two rows of protruding teeth 301are embedded with each other. Moreover, the waterproof layer 31 ismerely secured to the surfaces of the half tape member 300 withoutcontacting the rows of protruding teeth 301, for preventing water frompassing through the halves 30.

The waterproof layer 31 may comprise comprises dimethylacetamide, methylethyl ketone, toluene, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and polyurethane resin.Preferably, the waterproof layer 31 may comprise 10% to 21% by weight ofdimethylacetamide, 30% to 41% by weight of methyl ethyl ketone, 4% to12% by weight of toluene, 1% to 7% by weight of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone,and 36% to 47% by weight of polyurethane resin.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 in conjunction with FIGS. 4, 5, 7 and 8, aprocess of manufacturing the waterproof zipper and a flow chart thereofin accordance with the invention is illustrated. The process comprisesthe following steps:

S901: Guiding the waterproof layer 31 to a position above two halves 30on a continuous flow production line, each half 30 having a half tapemember 300 and a row of protruding teeth 301 along an inner edge of thehalf tape member 300.

S902: Uniformly coating the waterproof layer 31 on a releasing layer 4.

S903: Drying both the waterproof layer 31 and the releasing layer 4 inan oven.

S904: Pressing the halves 30 on the waterproof layer 31 at a pressurerange from 10 kg/cm² to 30 kg/cm² by a pressing device to secure thewaterproof layer 31 and the releasing layer 4 together. Preferably, thehalves may be pressed on the waterproof layer by the pressing device ata pressure range from 10 kg/cm² to 30 kg/cm² and in a temperature rangefrom 40° C. and 140° C. to secure the waterproof layer and the releasinglayer together

S905: Removing the releasing layer 4 from the waterproof layer 31, i.e.,only the waterproof layer 31 secured to the halves 30.

S906: Drying both the waterproof layer 31 and the halves 30 in the ovenagain.

S907: Cooling both the waterproof layer 31 and the halves 30, removingsame from the continuous flow production line, and placing same in anenvironment to provide a finished waterproof zipper. Preferably, theenvironment may be a room environment with room temperature, or may be apredetermined temperature lower than the room temperature. Both thewaterproof layer and the halves are placed in the room environment forfive to seven days to produce a finished waterproof zipper. As a result,a complete zipper is finished.

The invention has the following advantages: Electroplating step iseliminated. Manufacturing process is simplified. Thickness of the zipperis relatively low. The zipper is sufficiently flexible.

In another process of manufacturing the waterproof zipper of the presentinvention, such as the waterproof zipper depicted in FIG. 6, includingthe following steps:

Guiding the waterproof layer to a position above two half tape memberson a continuous flow production line;

Coating a waterproof layer on a releasing layer;

Drying both the waterproof layer and the releasing layer in an oven;

Pressing the two half tape members on the waterproof layer by a pressingdevice to secure the waterproof layer and the releasing layer together;

Removing the releasing layer from the waterproof layer;

Drying both the waterproof layer and the half tape members in the ovenagain;

Cooling both the waterproof layer and the half tape members for apredetermined period of time;

Removing both the waterproof layer and the half tape members from thecontinuous flow production line;

Placing both the waterproof layer and the half tape members in anenvironment; and

Connecting the two half tape members to two rows of protruding teeth toproduce a finished waterproof zipper. In this embodiment, the waterproof layer 31 provides excellent waterproof effects at a portion wherethe half tape member 300 connecting to the row of protruding teeth 301.

While the invention has been described in terms of preferredembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of theappended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A waterproof zipper comprising: two halves, eachincluding a half tape member and a row of protruding teeth disposedalong a side of the half tape member; and a waterproof layer is securedto an inner surface of the halves.
 2. The waterproof zipper of claim 1,wherein the sides of the half tape members face each other.
 3. Thewaterproof zipper of claim 1, wherein the waterproof layer is disposedon the half tape members of the two halves without contacting the sidesof the half tape members.
 4. The waterproof zipper of claim 1, whereinthe row of protruding teeth is disposed along an inner side of the halftape member.
 5. The waterproof zipper of claim 1, wherein the waterprooflayer comprises 10% to 21% by weight of dimethylacetamide, 30% to 41% ofmethyl ethyl ketone, 4% to 12% of toluene, 1% to 7% ofN-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and 36% to 47% of polyurethane resin.
 6. Thewaterproof zipper of claim 1, wherein the waterproof zipper is formed bythe steps of: (a) guiding the waterproof layer to a position above thetwo halves on a continuous flow production line, each half having a halftape member and a row of protruding teeth along an inner edge of thehalf tape member; (b) coating a waterproof layer on a releasing layer;(c) drying both the waterproof layer and the releasing layer in an oven;(d) pressing the halves on the waterproof layer at a pressure range from10 kg/cm2 to 30 kg/cm2 by means of a pressing device in a temperaturerange from 40° C. and 140° C. to secure the waterproof layer and thereleasing layer together; (e) removing the releasing layer from thewaterproof layer; (f) drying both the waterproof layer and the halves inthe oven again; (g) cooling both the waterproof layer and the halves fora predetermined period of time; (h) removing both the waterproof layerand the halves from the continuous flow production line; and (i) placingboth the waterproof layer and the halves in an environment for five toseven days to produce a finished waterproof zipper.
 7. A process formanufacturing a waterproof zipper, comprising the steps of: (a) guidingthe waterproof layer to a position above two halves on a continuous flowproduction line, each half having a half tape member and a row ofprotruding teeth along a side of the half tape member; (b) coating awaterproof layer on a releasing layer; (c) drying both the waterprooflayer and the releasing layer in an oven; (d) pressing the halves on thewaterproof layer by a pressing device to secure the waterproof layer andthe releasing layer together; (e) removing the releasing layer from thewaterproof layer; (f) drying both the waterproof layer and the halves inthe oven again; (g) cooling both the waterproof layer and the halves fora predetermined period of time; (h) removing both the waterproof layerand the halves from the continuous flow production line; and (i) placingboth the waterproof layer and the halves in an environment to produce afinished waterproof zipper.
 8. The process of claim 7, wherein thehalves is pressed on the waterproof layer by the pressing device at apressure range from 10 kg/cm² to 30 kg/cm² and in a temperature rangefrom 40° C. and 140° C. to secure the waterproof layer and the releasinglayer together.
 9. The process of claim 7, wherein both the waterprooflayer and the halves are placed in the environment for five to sevendays to produce a finished waterproof zipper.
 10. The process of claim7, wherein the waterproof layer comprises dimethylacetamide, methylethyl ketone, toluene, N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, and polyurethane resin.11. The process of claim 7, wherein the waterproof layer comprises 10%to 21% by weight of dimethylacetamide.
 12. The process of claim 7,wherein the waterproof layer comprises 30% to 41% by weight of methylethyl ketone.
 13. The process of claim 7, wherein the waterproof layercomprises 4% to 12% by weight of toluene.
 14. The process of claim 7,wherein the waterproof layer comprises 1% to 7% by weight ofN-methyl-2-pyrrolidone.
 15. The process of claim 7, wherein the sides ofthe half tape members face each other.
 16. The process of claim 7,wherein the waterproof layer is disposed on the half tape members of thetwo halves without contacting the sides of the half tape members. 17.The process of claim 7, wherein the row of protruding teeth is disposedalong an inner side of the half tape member.
 18. A process formanufacturing a waterproof zipper, comprising the steps of: (a) guidingthe waterproof layer to a position above two half tape members on acontinuous flow production line; (b) coating a waterproof layer on areleasing layer; (c) drying both the waterproof layer and the releasinglayer in an oven; (d) pressing the two half tape members on thewaterproof layer by a pressing device to secure the waterproof layer andthe releasing layer together; (e) removing the releasing layer from thewaterproof layer; (f) drying both the waterproof layer and the half tapemembers in the oven again; (g) cooling both the waterproof layer and thehalf tape members for a predetermined period of time; (h) removing boththe waterproof layer and the half tape members from the continuous flowproduction line; (i) placing both the waterproof layer and the half tapemembers in an environment; and (j) connecting the two half tape membersto two rows of protruding teeth to produce a finished waterproof zipper.